Tropaeolum Tricolorum

This dear has survived in my cold greenhouse for very many years. It's an Indian native, epidemic in Chile, where it's grown for it's tuber potatoe like roots.It's dormant through summer, then Autumn starts producing these fine soft climbing dendrils that somehow wether winter. In March masses of tricolour flowers appear: the ground is flame red, the mouth deep violet,the collar bright primrose yellow!!. A wonder.

Blakes Lily not quite it, but will serve!

The modest Rose puts forth a thorn
The humble Sheep a theat'ning horn;
While the Lily white shall in love delight,
Nor a thorn, nor a threat, stain her beauty bright.